Theme (Main Theme)
What is the theme of a passage?
The theme of a passage is the moral or the lesson that an author is wanting to teach the reader.
What is setting in a story?
The setting of a story is the time, place, and social environment that the story is taking place.
1.)What is point of view in a story?
2.)What are the three different points of view?
1.) The point of view is describing who the narrator of a text is.
2.) First Person, Second Person, and Third Person
Identify the type of sentence (simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex):
-The sleepy cat curled up on the sunny windowsill.
Simple
Where should the quotation marks go in this example?
-He said Please hand me the book.
He said, "Please hand me the book."
Is "friendship" a theme or a topic?
"Friendship" is a topic, not a theme!
Why is the setting of a story important to the plot?
The setting is important because it gives context to the story. It helps the reader understand where and when it is taking place, and helps the reader also understand the specific social environment.
Explain how the point of view/perspective of a specific character can change from the beginning to the end of a story.
A character's perspective changes because the events of the story teach them an important lesson about life or themselves. The character sees the world differently when the story is over.
Identify the type of sentence (simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex):
-The train was late, so we missed the beginning of the concert.
Compound
When the speaker tag (like she said) comes before the spoken words, what punctuation mark separates the tag from the dialogue?
A comma
Read the scenario and state one possible theme:
A girl spends hours practicing an instrument for a competition. She doesn't win, but she realizes she is a much better musician than when she started.
Possible Themes:
Hard work pays off, even if you don't win.
The journey is more important than the destination.
The greatest reward is self-improvement.
f a story takes place in "a dusty ghost town in the Wild West, around the year 1880," which part of that description tells you the time?
"Around the year 1880."
What techniques do authors use to show point of view?
Authors use pronouns to choose the storyteller, and they use thoughts and descriptive words to make sure you understand the storyteller's attitude.
Identify the type of sentence (simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex):
-Because the soccer game was canceled, the team went out for pizza instead.
Complex
When a character asks a question or shouts, do you still use a comma before the dialogue tag, or do you use the correct ending punctuation instead?
You use the correct ending punctuation (? or !) inside the quotation marks, and you do not use a comma.
Maya spent all morning carefully building a large, yellow kite. She had measured the sticks, taped the paper, and tied the string perfectly. Just as she was about to take it outside, her younger brother, Leo, tripped and accidentally stepped on the delicate frame, snapping one of the wooden rods. Maya frowned, tears welling up in her eyes. Leo looked miserable. He immediately got his own allowance money, still sticky from his piggy bank, and offered it to her. "I'm so sorry, Maya. I'll buy you the biggest, best kite in the store." Maya looked at the broken kite, then at Leo's hopeful, teary face. She hugged him. "Keep your money, Leo. It was just an accident. Let's fix this one together."
*What is the main theme, or message about life, that the author is trying to share through Maya's choice?
Possible Themes:
*Forgiveness is more important than things.
*Kindness is better than anger.
How can the weather (like a blizzard or a bright sunny day) become an important part of a story's setting?
The weather can create the mood (e.g., a stormy night creates suspense) or cause a conflict for the characters (e.g., a drought).
What role does character thought play in developing point of view?
Character thought is the magic key that lets the author control how much you know and how you feel about the story. It makes you connect with the character, understand their motivations, and experience the story from their unique viewpoint.
Identify the type of sentence (simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex):
-We will go camping this weekend unless the forecast predicts heavy snow.
Complex
Correctly punctuate this sentence, using commas to split the dialogue:
I need to leave now John explained because the library is closing soon.
"I need to leave now," John explained, "because the library is closing soon."
A Short Passage: "The Smallest Tree"
All the trees in the forest were competing to grow the tallest. The oak trees shot up quickly, bragging about their shade. The pine trees focused only on reaching the sun, ignoring everything below. Tucked in a rocky corner, the smallest sapling couldn't grow as fast. Instead of straining upward, it spent its energy sending roots deep into the difficult soil. When a terrible summer drought hit the forest, the tall, shallow-rooted trees withered and drooped. The smallest tree, secure in its deep foundation, remained healthy and green. It had survived the hardest time of the year.
*What is the main theme, or message about life, that the story of the smallest tree teaches?
Possible Themes:
*It is important to build a strong foundation.
*Inner strength is more important than outward appearance.
*Patience leads to success.
How might a setting that is "a crowded, noisy subway station" affect the actions or feelings of the main character, compared to "a quiet, empty meadow?"
A crowded station might make a character feel anxious, rushed, or lost, while a meadow might make them feel calm or lonely.
Read the passage below and answer the following question: how does the author use the characters' thoughts to create suspense or reveal information?
The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Sarah gathered her books quickly; she was already thinking about the warm cookies waiting for her at home. Across the room, Mr. Harrison sighed. He hoped the students hadn't found the secret note he'd left on the whiteboard, though he knew Jake had spotted it already. Jake stuffed the paper into his backpack, certain he was the only one who knew about the surprise field trip.
The author uses thoughts to reveal the secret (the note and the field trip) and to create dramatic irony. The reader knows two things the characters don't: Mr. Harrison knows Jake saw the note, and Jake thinks he's the only one who knows. This makes the reader wonder what will happen next!
Identify the type of sentence (simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex):
-I finished my science homework, and then I went to the store because we needed milk.
Compound-Complex
Which of the following sentences is correctly punctuated?
A. "Wow! yelled Sarah, "Look at that rainbow!"
B. "Wow"! yelled Sarah, "Look at that rainbow"!
C. "Wow!" yelled Sarah, "Look at that rainbow!"
D. "Wow," yelled Sarah! "Look at that rainbow."
C is correct because the exclamation points are correctly placed inside the quotation marks, and the comma after the dialogue tag ("yelled Sarah") correctly splits the continuous sentence.